Rated PG-13: language, sexual references in the last section, including slash elements.
A/N: For those not familiar with my 'Year of Time' series, it's a science-fiction AU of Time Force. In it, there are no other Ranger teams, therefore the teamups with Lightspeed and Wild Force and 'Forever Red' never happened.
Reviews are always appreciated.
The sound of the door unlocking came as soon as they had finished breakfast, making Wes wonder if the timing was just a lucky coincidence. As soon as they had all been out of bed, washed up, and starting to think about food, they had discovered another tray on their table - this time with still-hot eggs, ham, bread, and more fruit - yet he would have sworn no one could get into and out of the room unheard. Maybe Merlin deserved his reputation as a magician.
And it was Merlin himself who entered, with Nimue at his side. He was smiling; she also smiled although her eyes remained distant. "Ah, up and dressed," he exclaimed cheerfully. "Ready to go?"
"This Myrddin character is supposed to be a great wizard, right?" Eric asked.
"He's not 'supposed' to be a great wizard, he is one."
"Then can he help us get home?"
Merlin's tone softened. "That depends on a good many factors. But it's well within the realm of possibility."
"Then I'm ready."
"So am I," Wes said, fighting off a strong but irrational desire to say, 'We're off to see the wizard.'
"Let's do it." Tommy led the way.
Twenty minutes later they were in the middle of nowhere, following a narrow path through the forest that surrounded Camelot. With the city out of sight there was no sign of human habitation, just as when the three of them had first arrived. Not entirely a bad thing, Wes reflected, as he drew a deep breath of pure, fresh, unpolluted air and listened to the notes of a bird trilling somewhere in the treetops.
"You seem to find me puzzling." Wes looked around at the sound of Merlin's voice, and saw him talking to Eric as they walked side by side a few steps ahead. Wes drew a few steps closer to listen, and saw Tommy do the same.
"Well - I kind of expected Merlin to be an old guy with a long white beard. You're kind of young to be a famous magician," Eric answered.
There was a soft laugh. "Yes, I am young. But I was born to this life, and have been trained to it from birth. I am not the first Merlin, but only the latest in a long line, all going by the same name. I am Merlin Emrys, son of Merlin Wylt."
"What about Myrddin? Is he a relative of yours? The name is similar."
"He has taught all of us, down through the generations, and my ancestors took a form of his name as our own."
"He's taught all of you? For how long?"
"Hundreds of years. Since before there were written records of his existence." Merlin's voice became more serious. "Myrddin is not a man such as you or I. He has spoken on occasion of his birthplace, a land beyond the Earth and before human memory."
"You're telling me he's an alien or something?" Eric's tone was skeptical.
But Merlin answered without any trace of irritation. "In a way, although whether he is from another reality - like yourselves - or another planet, I do not know."
"You know there are other planets?" Tommy asked.
"Of course. Orbiting other stars, in this and other galaxies." The magician smiled. "As I said once before, we are not as ignorant as you seem to think."
"Right. I keep forgetting this is 1995, not long in our past."
"From what you have told us, your world contains a technology based on science, not magic as ours is. We are less advanced in some ways than you. We have never had to develop our scientific knowledge; magic has always been faster and easier, and has filled our needs."
"From what I've seen, maybe you're better off," Wes said. "No pollution. More of a natural environment. No weapons that can destroy whole cities."
"We have our problems. And as for weapons..." He sighed. "Magic can create destruction as terrible as any force based on science. We have had vastly destructive wars in our past. I wish to prevent another one from occurring now."
"Do you think Vivienne will start a war?"
"She wants power. She will stop at nothing to achieve it. At this moment she wishes to overthrow Arthur, but if she succeeds, other rulers will follow. Eventually she will attack Myrddin, and if she destroys him... someday the entire world may be forced to bow before her. We must not allow that to happen."
"Wait." Nimue, who was slightly in the lead, stopped and held up her hand. "Someone comes. Be ready."
Wes saw him as he came into view, moving almost silently, stepping from among the trees into the pathway to face them. It was a man, very young, with long, untidy brown hair and a boyish face. There should have been nothing alarming about him - except for the way his eyes seemed almost to glow with menace, the way his face revealed hard lines of cruelty despite its youthful softness. He wore the usual tight leggings with a fitted jacket, in black with midnight blue edging around the neck and sleeves, accentuating the thinness of his body.
Wes heard Tommy pull in a shaky breath at the sight. "Another one?" he asked softly.
"Not Justin... It can't be..."
"Mordred," Merlin said, taking another step to confront the young man.
"Merlin. Nimue. How nice to see you again. And I see you've brought company."
"What do you want?" Nimue asked harshly.
"Is that any way to greet an old friend? And I used to think you were so sweet."
"Our anger is not for you, Mordred," Merlin said. "It is for what Vivienne has made of you."
"She's shown me what power I could have! She's made a man of me!"
"She has stolen your childhood, made you a man before your time. Not the good man you should have become, but an evil travesty of yourself."
"Enough pleasantries. I did not come to talk." Mordred's face twisted in a mocking and hateful grin. "I've brought my own companions with me. See how you like them!"
He swept his arms out, threw his head back, and laughed as the woods around them exploded in a wave of dark figures springing seemingly out of nowhere. They looked almost human at first glance, but were completely covered in some sort of black, slightly shiny surface, their faces blank and featureless. White pentacles were drawn in thin lines on their chests and backs. Wordlessly, they swarmed to the attack.
"Demon-drones!" Nimue cried. "Lifeless, soulless creatures Vivienne has created as her soldiers. Defend yourselves!"
Wes started forward with the idea of protecting her as a couple of demons leaped for her, but instantly realized his help was unneeded as she extended her arm and put up a hand. A bolt of energy, like lightning, sprang from her to the demons, dissipating them into a whiff of nasty-smelling black smoke. But there were more; as one reached to grab her from behind, Nimue spun almost too fast to follow, her foot flashing up and around despite the long skirt to connect with its head.
Wes had no more time to watch; he found himself surrounded by a circle of the creatures, closing in fast. He leaned into a punch at the closest, feeling a shiver of distaste as his fist connected with what felt like cold, rubbery skin. A hard side-kick, a yank and twist to flip one over his shoulder, a jab of the elbow, a solid kick into another's gut, and he drove them back only to see them circle, looking for an opening.
Eric and Tommy were in the middle of similar struggles, Eric leaping into one of his characteristically acrobatic spin kicks, Tommy ducking under reaching arms to knock his attackers' legs out from under them. Merlin sent a series of energy bolts into the creatures, and then, surprisingly, took a few running steps to brace a hand on a demon back and vault feet first into a group of them.
They were all putting up a good fight - but there were too many. Wes brought his hands together and pressed the button on his morpher, bracing himself for the flash of light and energy that seemed to fill his body with a burst of power. Morphed, he charged into the demons, summoning his blaster along the way. A shout behind him was followed by the sound of the Quantum Defender, as Eric joined in as the Quantum Ranger. A glance back showed that Tommy had also transformed into his black Ranger form.
A minute or two of the sizzle of blasters and the impact of fists and boots - and then the fight was over as the few demon-drones who had survived melted back into the shadows of the trees, leaving only a haze of smoke and a lingering smell. And...
"Mordred!" Merlin cried at the figure who still stood where they had last seen him, arms crossed, smiling despite the defeat of his creatures. "Give up! Come back to us, there is still a chance for you!"
"No, thanks. I'd rather be on the winning side." His smile grew wider as Wes ran at him, Eric right behind him. Their gloved hands reached - but there was only empty air as the young man faded into nothingness, leaving only an echo of mocking laughter behind.
"Damn!" Eric exclaimed. "But we still beat him and his drones."
"This was only a test," Nimue said, her voice tight. "He did not expect us to be defeated."
"Yes." Merlin straightened his robe and brushed off a few leaves. "You three are an unknown quantity to Vivienne. She wanted to find out what you are capable of. And now you have given her a demonstration."
Wes was dismayed. "You mean - we shouldn't have morphed?"
"It was unavoidable. But now - all of you will become her targets as much as we are."
"Myrddin's command center. And his home."
Wes paused to look curiously as Merlin led them into it, a cave whose entrance was hidden in a thick stand of trees. It seemed only filled with natural formations - at first glance, until he noticed the clean, level floor, the way a few stalagmites blended into each other to form a table, how a collection of moss-covered boulders looked like seats, how a stream of water in a back corner appeared from a solid wall and drained neatly away through the floor. There was the light, also, a diffuse glow that seemed to come from everywhere. It was quite a lovely place, and filled him with an odd sense of peace.
"Where is he?" Eric asked after a few moments of looking around.
"Myrddin is always here. Look."
Wes followed his gesture, peering at the back wall of the cave. The most noticeable thing there was a large column of limestone which he had only glanced at before. Now - it seemed to change subtly as he watched, the outline softening, becoming slowly translucent. It faded, but not completely, becoming a misty cylinder, with a giant, indistinct, human-looking face gradually taking shape inside.
"As I told you, Myrddin is not a man such as ourselves," Merlin said softly, "But even he is not immune to the effects of time, or the attacks of his enemies. Over the centuries, his physical body has aged and weakened. Now he can exist only within the protection of this magical enclosure. This is why we Merlins have become his instruments, to do his work in the world."
The eyes of the face in the column opened, and focused on them. The mouth hardly seemed to move, but a deep and resonant voice filled the cave, coming from nowhere and everywhere. "Greetings to my students, Merlin and Nimue. And to the visitors you have brought."
"Uh - hello," Wes said.
Myrddin's eyes moved again, to Tommy. "You feel that you recognize me."
"Yes," Tommy said, his voice slightly unsteady. "In my world, your name is Zordon. I knew you for many years. You created our morphers, created the Power Rangers."
"There are many similarities between our realities, as well as many differences. We have much to discuss. But first, you three have many questions. Ask them."
Wes hesitated, but Eric took his opportunity. "Can you help us get back to our own worlds?" he asked.
"I have been studying the matter, Eric Myers. When the time comes, we will make the attempt."
"Strange forces, very strange forces are in these three..." The new voice startled Wes, coming from behind him. He turned, saw nothing - lowered his gaze, and saw a round face on a spindly body about three feet tall, with too-large hands and feet. The creature - it was definitely not human - had large bright green eyes, a wide mouth with alarmingly sharp teeth, and wore a bright red and blue garment that covered it from shoulders to knees. It was reaching for him. Wes jumped back with an exclamation.
"Do not be alarmed, Wes Collins. This is Ambrosius, my assistant. He is harmless."
"Okay, if you say so." Wes watched as the little creature with the elaborate name scuttled away and busied itself with a pile of what appeared to be rocks.
Tommy asked the next question. "In my world and the one Eric and Wes come from, King Arthur, Merlin, and all of you are legends from over a thousand years ago. How can it be that you're real here? And living now, only a few years before our own time?"
"I do not know, Tommy Oliver. The multiverse holds many mysteries, and infinite possibilities. One of the largest differences between our dimensions is that magic is the predominant force here, playing much of the role science plays in your worlds. This may have led to the very different paths our histories have taken.
"I have long suspected that some realities may influence others. Your legends may have been based on some sort of communication from our world to yours, passing beyond the barriers of space and time."
"Are we here for a purpose?" Wes asked. "Were we sent here somehow to make sure you win this fight against Vivienne and Morgan?"
"Again, I do not know, Wes Collins. Many things are possible in the infinity of realities. However, it would seem more efficient for a benevolent fate to simply provide more morphers for the many worthy knights already in Camelot, instead of inconveniencing the three of you."
Wes heard a faint snicker from Eric, and gave him a glare in return.
"You - Zordon - gave us the morphers in our world," Tommy said. "Is it the same here? Did you create the morphers?"
"Yes, from six ancient coins enchanted to grant their holders great power. They are part of what Vivienne desires; they would enhance her magic greatly. The coins were in my possession for many years; now I have given them to their rightful owners so they may have the ability to combat her and her minions."
"Six. Merlin, Nimue, and Lancelot; and I assume Arthur, Guinevere, and Galahad. That's the way it was in my world, with their counterparts."
"You are correct."
"Rita - who I think is Vivienne here - stole one of the coins in my world. Mine. She turned me against the others by controlling my mind. Has that happened here?"
"It has not. I watch over the current holders of the coins; they will not fall to her. However, as you know, she has used her spells upon Mordred and Morgan. Not all has or will happen the same way in both realities. In your world, you triumphed over this 'Rita', did you not?"
"Yes, eventually. After - a few sacrifices."
"Do not assume events will unfold in the same manner here. We are in a desperate struggle, and must fight with all the resources we have. Merlin tells me you wish to help. Is this true?"
"Yes. If nothing else, I owe it to my old teammates, and Zordon."
"And you, Wes Collins and Eric Myers? This is not your world, nor do you know the counterparts of the people involved here."
"I think it's what we're supposed to do," Wes said.
"And I guess I might as well go along for the ride," Eric agreed.
"Our thanks to all of you, for your courage and your loyalty. Now, we must prepare."
"What do you want us to do?"
Wes saw Myrddin's eyes close and realized his face was fading, being hidden from view as the column gradually became more solid, returning to its appearance of a pillar of stone. But the wizard's voice remained strong. "Return to the castle. Merlin will brief you on what is to come. I will meditate and try to gain knowledge of Vivienne's plans, and Ambrosius will continue to search for a way to return you to your homes, once this is over."
Despite its size, their room at the castle - the door now left unlocked - was crowded. Nine people sat or stood inside it, six in the Arthurian clothing Wes was almost getting used to seeing; himself, Eric, and Tommy still in their own clothes. Nine people from three different universes, three different types of morphers, yet all of them were Rangers.
He looked at each face briefly. Eric of course, his unlikely best friend, so different, and yet the bond between them had become like family. Tommy, who had become a good friend in only a couple of days. Arthur, Tommy's younger double, eerily like him not just in appearance but in manner. Nimue, beautiful and distant, but her eyes warming as she looked at the others. Lancelot, standing at Arthur's elbow, the affection and loyalty between them almost visible. Guinevere, with her bright eyes and quick smile, never far from her husband's side. Galahad, who had found them, wearing his usual cheerful expression.
And Merlin, who had taken the center of the room and now commanded their attention with a slight cough. "My lord, my lady, if I may beg permission to speak..."
"Go on, Merlin," Arthur said with a smile. "You know you don't need permission."
"Myrddin has charged me with the task of informing you of what is to come. He has seen the forces of evil gathering. They will attack tomorrow, he does not know exactly when. We must be ready."
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes, my king. It's short notice, but Vivienne has been able to hide her movements effectively. Myrddin saw her intention less than an hour ago."
"How many?" Lancelot asked, sounding very much the soldier.
"Vivienne herself, Morgan, and Mordred. But do not be deceived by their small numbers. Vivienne is a formidable opponent, and they will have an army of their creatures."
"The demon-drones. Yes. They are hardly a problem."
"Not in a one-on-one battle. But even the strongest of us may fall before hundreds of them. No, we must eliminate the source. Find Vivienne, destroy her if we can."
"You and Nimue should concentrate on her. Galahad and I will keep the demons away from you as far as we are able."
"We're in this too," Tommy said. "The three of us can handle the demons. You try to take out Morgan and Mordred without hurting them."
"An excellent plan, except that you've forgotten someone. I will be at your side," Arthur said, looking at Lancelot.
"And where all of you go, I go also," Guinevere said. Arthur looked as if he would object - but then he smiled and silently took her hand.
"But my lord, you and the queen must be protected. It's you she's after. If you fall, we are defeated."
Arthur dropped a hand to his belt. "Myrddin gave these to us for a reason, Lancelot. He trusted us to use them. We must fight for ourselves, and for our kingdom, and indeed for our world."
"Then... All of you, rest tonight as best you can. We will need our strength," Merlin said. "And may the power protect us all."
TBC...